Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-03-17

while that gentleman was busted with
matters connected with the Stock Ex-
change presentation of SPLEEN
did c $500 gold watch to Inspector
Ryrnes in recognition of his
signal usefulness. That fur-trimmed
overcoat is still an estray from its
legitimate owner, and whether the sim
full appropriation be professional thief
or only an amateur is one of the I'M
solved mysteries of abnormal economic
science. Infallibility is not human
attribute, but in the Judgment of the
criminal classes the inspector and his
subordinates come as near to it as is
as possible to policemen. They ''size
up man for all he's worth with
really marvellous accuracy. Markedly
individualized and independent, In
spector Byrnes in manner is very
gentlemanly. insinuating. and invitive
of confidence. He knows the thoughts,
plans, ways and characteristics of
''crooks," and readily infers how any
one of the category will proceed in the
projection and execution of crime,
and what he will do to cover
his tracks. Charles Reade's adj
vice to put yourself in his place" he
follows in practice of a profession to
which pre-eminent fitness rather than
choice has called him. Like every
genuine ''sleuth-hound' of just gov
eminent he exhibits rare GOODNESS, self
possession and bravery, persistence I'M
wearying. sagacity almost unerring,
and the fine scent that shifts the slight
est odor of the quarry. Kind as keen,
and impartial as imperturbable, he has
formed a class of police officers equal
to the needs of a municipality so free
to ingress and egress that it is the
most difficult of all to guard against
criminals. 'tHonor among thieves" is
one of the time-worn lies that he de-
nounces with emphatic scorn. He says;
81 never met a thief in my life, pro.
vided he could benefit by peaching on
his confederates, from whom I could
not find out any thing 1 was DESTROYS
to know. There is no such thing as
honor among thieves"
Interviews with the inspector are
had by special request. His private
Office is adorned by photographs and
crayon drawings, whose subjects are
associated with police affairs. Some Of
the men reporting to him are said to !
be college-bred, and can pass muster |
in the best society. All are chosen in |
view of individual aptitude for certain |
kinds of work. The stamp of official |
ism is about the last of which there is |
any trace. Keeping iucognito as much |
as possible, the chances of prompt de-
lection are multiplied. Crooks" are
now afraid of their shadows; great !
robberies have ceased, and minor
crime has been reduced over eighty per
cent. Detectives more or less |
closely initiate the example of |
their chief, who says: Every |
evening l make it a point to meet |
some of these men in their resorts, and
from them learn the whereabouts fthei1
friends. and what they are doing. One
crook of consequence generally knows
what other good men are doing. In this
way keep posted, and know in what |
part of the country all the sharp men |
are. AS experts are liberated from the |
State prison 1 follow their tracks in this /
way" For the secret police of Europe !
an countries, and~for the private de- !
tectives in this, Inspector Byrnes enter |
tains undisguised contempt. Crime, in
his opinion, is fine art, and criminal |
detection science. ''Set a thief to !
catch thief" is a hoary mendacity. |
SIN the long-run the honest officer is
a match for the smartest thief" De- !
tective opinion of the morality of !
American life, private or official, is not
of roseate hue. TIL, bribe-taking alder
men of 1884 have not improved its COM
plexion. Of Henry w. Jaehne, their
former vice-president, but now in Sing |
Sing, through the inspectors remarka-
BILE power of making rogues talk, he is
represented as saying: "Jaehne |
thought 1 had more proof against him
in regard to Mrs Hamilton's stolen |
silver than really did have, and was
careful not to undeceive HIM. AS it |
was, I knew that he was a rascal, with
out having proof of the fact, until ]
had gained his confidence to such an
extent that he admitted his guilt as to
the bribery. Dr.. Richard Wheatley, in
Harper's Magazine.